As a rookie, Backlund registered 10 goals and 25 points last season with the Flames. His absence leaves the NHL club awfully thin up the middle with Olli Jokinen, Matt Stajan and Roman Horak the only natural centres.

David Moss can move inside from the wing, if necessary. Brendan Morrison, 36, is still recovering from off-season knee surgery.

Jokinen we know about already. Horak is a youngster who made a name for himself in camp and is getting a shot to prove himself. David Moss is generally better off on the right wing than at center.

Pressed for comment about the unachieving centreman — who had a couple of nice moments in pre-season games — Flames coach Brent Sutter offered a lukewarm appraisal.

“He’s got to continue to get better,” Sutter said of the 27-year-old who represents a $3.5 million cap bite. “He had an OK camp, OK exhibition (games). Staje has been fine.”

…

“So Staje has to push to get in that mix,” said Sutter, “and that’s where it’s at. He’s had a decent camp. It hasn’t been outstanding, but he’s played OK.”

If Sutter had lightly praised Stajan any more he might’ve fallen asleep doing it. Stajan isn’t the ideal replacement when you’ve got two guys down that could/would be higher on the depth chart for center. Times are tough in the meantime though and Stajan will need to be the guy to keep the Flames from starting off poorly.

If you’re hoping for a miracle, however, don’t hold your breath. In Stajan’s 103 games as a Flame he has nine goals and 38 assists. In other words Flames fans, you’re hoping for speedy recoveries for both Morrison and Backlund.